GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas – Learn how living a healthy and active life can be fun for the entire family when Galveston County Health District (GCHD) launches its newest initiative – Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) – on Nov. 17 with a free family-friendly event 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Join GCHD for Zumba, Mommy & Me exercises, face painting, massages, karate demonstrations and tours of Galveston County Health District EMS ambulances, as well as smoothie and food trucks. Get in some exercise and walk a one-mile path or play and walk with some of the Galveston County Animal Resource Center animals, which will be on hand.
“We are thrilled to launch HEAL. This initiative is one of the biggest the district has been part of and is aimed at making Galveston County the healthiest in Texas,” said GCHD CEO Kathy Barroso. “Our launch event is a way for us to introduce HEAL to our community and show them that leading a healthy and active lifestyle can be fun for the entire family.”
HEB will also be on site with free samples and H-E-Buddy, as will Chick-fil-A with free samples and its cow mascot. Blood sugar, blood pressure and vision screenings will also be offered, plus much more including games for the entire family.
Plus, there will be giveaways for all ages.
“HEAL came about as we began developing our 2017-2022 Strategic Health Plan,” Barroso said. “Obesity is a serious health problem in the United States and HEAL is a way we can combat that on a local level.”
A 2017 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report shows that nearly 40 percent of American adults and almost 20 percent of adolescents are obese – the highest rates ever recorded in the United States. One in five adolescents (12-19), one in five children (6-11) and one in 10 preschoolers (2-5) are considered obese.
“We sent out a survey to our clients, stakeholders and the community, asking them about their dietary and exercise habits. We wanted to know how they rated their eating habits, how often they exercised and what kept them from living a healthier life,” Barroso said.
GCHD learned lack of time and motivation were the primary reasons why those surveyed did not engage in healthy diet and exercise habits. Responders indicated a strong interest in learning more about quick and easy recipes, healthy
cooking information and shopping on a budget, plus exercises they could do at home and community walking trails or centers that offer free exercise options.
In response, GCHD is developing a HEAL section on its website, www.gchd.org.
“The HEAL section will follow up on a lot of the feedback we received from the survey. It will include monthly exercise videos you can do at home, cooking videos for adults and children, healthy recipes and tips for shopping on a budget,” said Ashley Tompkins, GCHD director of communications. “We’re also linking to walking trails in the community, as well as community parks that have free workout equipment.”
HEAL will also include videos on how to read a nutrition label and how to pick the best ingredients while shopping, regardless of your budget. Food storage tips, nutritional infographics and examples of different eating styles will also be featured. There’s even a page dedicated solely to diabetes, from reading a nutrition label to recipes and what kind of ingredients to enjoy and avoid.
The HEAL section of the website launches soon and will be updated on a regular basis with new videos, recipes and tips for leading a healthy lifestyle.
Come out and join GCHD and let’s make Galveston County “the healthiest county in Texas.”
WHAT: Healthy Eating, Active Living launch event
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
WHERE: Galveston County Health District, 9850-A Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Texas City.
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Public Health Services · Coastal Health & Wellness · Emergency Medical Services · Animal Resource Center
The Galveston County Health District (GCHD) is the local public health agency for Galveston County, Texas.
GCHD provides services and programs that protect the everyday health and well-being of Galveston County.
P.O. Box 939 La Marque, Texas 77568 • (409) 938-7221
www.gchd.org